BackDuring its mid-term meeting that took place from 7 to 8 May 2012 in Hong Kong, the IOI Board of Directors took decisions on several applications for individual, associate and institutional membership. Welcoming the new members to the IOI family the General Secretariat presents the main facts and figures of each new member continuing with the Ombudsman of Lombardy.
The Ombudsman of Lombardy protects the individual and associated citizens’ rights and interests within the regional processes. The Autonomy Statute of the Lombardy provides the legal basis for this Ombudsman institution. The Ombudsman carries out his functions independently and is not subject to any hierarchical or functional control. The incumbent is elected by a two third majority of the regional council for a term of six years which cannot be renewed. The current office holder is Mr Donato Giordano.
Lombardy Ombudsman has the power to view all the records and documents relating to the subject matter of his action, obtain a copy thereof and gain useful information. He makes his observations and recommendations to the persons concerned and, if necessary, may define duties for the parties to perform or terms for the definition of the process. The Ombudsman may take action towards the Region and the regional system agencies, as well as towards agents or organizations supplying regional public services pursuant to the regional legislation in force and the supplying licences or agreements. He may also take action towards municipalities, mountain communities, provinces, agents or organizations supplying local public services that are based in the Lombardy area whenever this is provided for by the law.
Every year, the Ombudsman is obliged to submit a report by 31 March to the President of the Regional Parliament, the Regional Council and the Regional Government. The annual report is published in the official Gazette of the Lombardy Region. At any time, the Ombudsman may submit reports on specific issues to the Regional Council and Regional Government.
Following recommendations by the Secretary General and the competent Regional Vice-President the Board acknowledged that the Ombudsman of Lombardy fulfilled the IOI criteria for institutional membership set out in Article 6 (1) of the I.O.I. by-laws and decided to accept the “Difensore regionale della Lombardia” as institutional member of the IOI.
Find further information here.
